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AIDS patients at Jamnagar's general
hospital are made to wear headbands which proclaim their HIV positive status.
The Gujarat high court (HC) on Thursday issued notices to concerned authorities
after this issue was brought to its notice in a public interest litigation
(PIL).
The PIL was filed by advocate Vijay
Nangesh highlighting the "improper" practice in G G Hospital in
Jamnagar. The lawyer submitted that the patients infected with HIV are given a
band to be tied on their heads so that others could identify them and keep distance
from them. He also produced photographs of patients carrying tags of HIV on
their heads.
The petition claims that such a
branding of HIV infected people is inhuman treatment to them, for this marking
leads to isolation of these patients as other patients and their relatives
maintain a "safe distance" from them. The petitioner also pointed out
that this inhuman practice also causes panic among other patients who are in
the hospital.
The PIL cited a guideline given by
the Supreme Court saying that the identity of such people must not be disclosed.
The lawyer also cited rules framed by the Medical Council of India in this
regard. The PIL has demanded immediate restriction on this practice of
disclosing AIDS patients' identity. It has also sought action against
responsible officials. After hearing the case, a bench of Chief Justice Bhaskar
Bhattacharya and Justice J B Pardiwala sought reply from the state health
department secretary, Jamnagar collector and the medical superintendent of the
GG Hospital. Further hearing on this issue is kept next week.
Meanwhile, other PILs are also being
heard by the HC on the issue of HIV infected people. The high court has ordered
CBI probe in the incident of HIV infection among thallassemic kids in Junagadh.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is
dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and
empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV
virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
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